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Dutch striker shunned Stoke

RKC Waalwijk's new signing Hans van de Haar claims he had the option to join Stoke City.

Johan Boskamp has recently taken over at The Britannia Stadium and was keen to recruit his fellow Dutchman.

Van de Haar was available on a free transfer after being told he could leave Utrecht after two seasons at Nieuw Galgewaard. Heracles Almelo and Verona made concerted efforts to sign the 30-year-old, while Aberdeen were also interested in the forward.

The well-travelled attacker acknowledged Stoke were among his suitors before he opted to stay in the Netherlands with RKC.

"I could have gone to Heracles Almelo, Verona, Stoke City and even to Aberdeen," van de Haar told Voetbal International.

"I leave my affairs in the hands of my agent Favio Alho and he rings me if the clubs are really concretely interested."